Spring-loaded vehicle sales hint at brighter months ahead

New vehicles sales figures continue to improve, with the combined passenger and commercial markets reaching the second-highest number of sales for the year.

Motor Trade Association (MTA) said the total number of new vehicles sold increased for the second month in a row, with 9,388 new units sold overall – up 698 (8 %) on the September figure. This is a solid 34 % increase on the 7,026 new vehicles sold in October 2011. Year to date, total new vehicle sales are up 19 % – certainly a positive economic signal.MTA spokesperson Ian Stronach said: “October is often a strong month sales wise, with many of the new season’s rental fleet being included. Toyota, in particular, had a strong month, leading both the commercial and passenger sales figures.”

New car sales, of 7,336 units, increased by 699 units (11 %), compared to the same month last year. Year to date, new car sales are ahead of 2011 by 11,236 units (21 %).The new commercial vehicle market held steady, at 2,052 – down a single vehicle from last month’s 2,053. However, this was a strong improvement over last year, with 454 more units sold (28 %) compared to October 2011. Year to date, overall new commercial sales are ahead of 2011 by 2,391 units (13 %) – another positive indicator of economic activity.

Top selling passenger car brands:

Toyota 1,862 units 25% market share

Ford 928 units 13% market share

Holden 720 units 10% market share

Top selling passenger car models:

Toyota Corolla 846 units

Ford Focus 344 units

Suzuki Swift 299 units

Top selling commercial vehicle brands:

Toyota 585 units 29% market share

Ford 261 units 13% market share

Nissan 227 units 11% market share

Top selling commercial vehicle models:

Toyota Hilux 334 units

Toyota Hiace 232 units

Nissan Navara 208 units

Used import car sales were up by 645 units (10 %) compared to September, and up 600 (10 %) compared to October last year. Year to date, sales of used imported cars are down by 2,377 units (4 %).On-road motorcycle sales also strongly improved last month, with the most new cycles sold for the year – 571 units, an increase of 19 % over October 2011. In particular, sales of new over-60cc cycles rallied, with a 23 % increase over last October’s figure of 365 units sold.

“This will be a welcome relief for motorcycle dealers – this is the best October result since 2009. There is a way to go though, with sales currently down 13 % year to date, but this is a strong start to summer, traditionally the time of the year when people buy bikes,” Stronach said.